Single-sex toilet becoming compulsory in offices, bars and restaurants

Toilets will become single-sex. (Image: Getty)

Single-sex toilets will become compulsory in all restaurants and offices across England, it was reported last night.

The Government has announced the move will be rolled out in new offices, restaurants, bars and shopping centres following a rise in the number of gender neutral facilities being used.

Existing firms could end up being caught up in the new rules.

Lee Rowley, the housing minister, said the Government wants to ensure "that single-sex toilets, providing privacy, decency and space for both sexes, are not abandoned for alternatives which might offer none of that - and make the whole process of using the loos even more inefficient."

The new policy would also encourage buildings to consider a self-contained universal toilet as opposed to male or female toilet blocks.

These would contain a toilet, washbasin and hand-drying facilities for individual use.

Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch said: "These regulations will guide organisations to design unisex and single-sex toilets, ending the rise of so-called “gender-neutral” mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women.

"Today’s announcement will also create better provision for women so that our particular biological, health and sanitary needs are met.

"This is following our work last week limiting the use of mixed-sex wards in the NHS and demonstrates how this government is committed to ensuring single-sex spaces are protected for all."